Monday, August 13, 2007

Modest Mouse music performed Missed the Boat last Tuesday on Conan and the YouTube clip of the band's performacne was posted on numerous blogs. Obviously the NBC/Conan O'Brien people took a dim view of this as "This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by NBC Universal."

Sooner or later, the entertainment industry is going to have to come to grips with user generated content. One of the important factors in my mind is that this clip wasn't a cellcam video but rather a performance that aired across public airwaves. What is the difference between me watching the band's performance on YouTube vs. TIVO-ing or DVR-ing the performance and watching it at my convenience? It would seem easier for NBC to try and monetize a YouTube type of "transaction" (which is happening on a trackable, public site) rather than pushing anyone who missed the performance to the pirate torrent sites. Shutting down this clip on YouTube will not make the demand go away....